Group releases new beaches app

When temperatures soar, many people hit Lake Michigan beaches for some relief and play.

Milwaukee Riverkeeper has launched a new mobile app that identifies which beaches are safe for swimming.

The interactive Swim Guide relies on water quality monitoring data from government authorities to determine water quality at hundreds of beaches, including those at some inland lakes, according to Milwaukee Riverkeeper.

“It can be quite frustrating to pack up the family, head to the beach and then arrive to find out the beach is closed,” said Karen Schapiro, the water protection group’s executive director.

The Swim Guide app is available for iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and Android devices. It also can be viewed and downloaded at milwaukeeriverkeeper.org.